2019-nCoV (Novel Coronavirus)

Frequently Asked Questions for Coronavirus

A 24/7 public hotline has been set-up with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System at 1-800-222-1222.

Q: What is a novel coronavirus?

A: A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not that same as the coronavirus that commonly circulates amongst humans and causes mild illness, like the common cold.

Q: What is the source of COVID-19?

A: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others, such as canine and feline coronaviruses, only infect animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses that infect animals have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19. Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are two other examples of coronaviruses that originated from animals and then spread to people.

Q: Are there any cases of Coronavirus in Cape May County.

For up to date case count by county visit https://covid19.nj.gov/

Q: How do you prevent coronavirus?

A: Methods of prevention include:

• Stay home when you are sick. Wait 24 hours until you no longer have a fever without using a fever reducing medicine.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, hand sanitizer may be used if not available.

• Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth.

Encourage proper cough etiquette. Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw directly into the trash. Use sleeve or arm if tissue is not available. Do not use your hands.

• Perform routine surface cleaning, particularly for items which are frequently touched such as doorknobs, handles, remotes, keyboards and other commonly shared surfaces.

Q: What to if you’re Sick?

A: When you are sick take the following steps:

• Stay home except to get medical care (call before going your physician or healthcare facility).

• Separate yourself other people and animals in your home.

• Call ahead before visiting your doctor.

• Wear a face mask.

• Cover your coughs sneezes.

• Clean your hands often.

• Avoid sharing personal household items.

• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.

• Monitor your symptoms.

• Discontinuing home isolation.

Q: Does CDC recommend the use of face mask in the community to prevent COVID-19?

A: CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends this. A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Q: How does the virus causing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), spread?

A: This virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first infections were linked to a live animal market, but the virus is now spreading from person-to-person. It is important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. Currently, it is unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Q: Can someone who has had COVID-19 spread the illness to others?

A: The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

How long someone is actively sick can vary, so the decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention, and public health officials. This also involves considering specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.

Q: Is the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 the same as the MERS-CoV or the SARS-CoV virus?

A: No. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause cold-like illnesses in people. Others cause illness in certain types of animals, such as cattle, camels and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can spread to people. This happened with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. The virus that causes COVID-19 likely also originated in an animal and spread to humans. The coronavirus most similar to the virus causing COVID-19 is SARS-CoV. There are ongoing investigations to learn more. The situation is changing, and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Q: Where can I get updated information on the Coronavirus?

A: Stay up to date on the current situation as it evolves. Some reliable sources of information are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov, the World Health Organization at www.who.int, and the New Jersey Department of Health at www.nj.gov/health. For additional information visit Cape May County Department of Health at www.cmchealth.net, also like “Cape May County Department of Health”.